Chapter 30

The county office’s backyard has been freshly painted, and the doors and windows have been newly varnished and covered with fresh gauze. Even the roof tiles have been replaced.

The spacious inner chamber now appears completely renewed, with crimson curtains and bed canopies setting a vibrant scene. The lamps, which would usually be extinguished by this hour, burn brightly. A soft “pop” sounds as a flicker of orange candlelight bursts forth.

Behind the screen, there are intermittent, faint murmurs, a woman’s extremely restrained voice yet seemingly difficult to bear.

Shao Qing was confused and didn’t know when she had already laid down. When she touched the soft quilt and pillow, she suddenly realized that her clothes had been removed. A strong man was lying on her; his rough fingertips and palms seemed to have an electric current. Wherever he touched, regardless of the force, it made her tremble uncontrollably. Her face was flushed, her eyes were dazed, her bright red lips slightly parted, and she frowned as she struggled to breathe.

“Ah Qing?”

Finally, Wei Jing faced her again. His breathing was heavy, a thin layer of sweat beaded on his forehead, and the veins on his temples throbbed slightly. He desperately suppressed the turmoil in his veins, his Adam’s apple rolling up and down rapidly, carefully examining the person in front of him: “Ah Qing, look at me.”

After calling her a few times, Shao Qing finally opened her eyes, her almond-shaped eyes filled with tears. She stared fixedly at the handsome man in front of her.

On the verge of an explosion, Wei Jing suddenly plunged his body forward, firmly and powerfully claiming his wife.

Pain, a dull ache, an indescribable discomfort.

Shao Qing frowned. A drop of physiological tears overflowed, sliding down the corner of her eye and soaking her raven-like sideburns.

At that moment, she saw ecstasy in Wei Jing’s eyes.

That’s right, Wei Jing was indeed overjoyed. He had finally and completely turned her into his wife, in every sense of the word, with no room for any further discussion. The last trace of unease in his heart finally faded completely, replaced by an overwhelming sense of pleasure that flooded his senses. However, Shao Qing frowned tightly, clearly very uncomfortable. He took a deep breath and leaned down to kiss her, gently soothing her and trying his best to slow down.

As usual, the silvery white moonlight quietly climbed up the window sill, filtering through the screen and casting shadows on the tent. Only tonight, the red candles burn brightly, making the moonlight pale in comparison.

The untrimmed candle flower went “bang” again, bursting into a bright orange bloom; the moonlight was bright, and the night was long.

……

At first, Shao Qing was somewhat pleased, but gradually, it became uncomfortable, then it turned into gritting her teeth and enduring, and finally, she disregarded everything and beat him, pleading for him to finish quickly.

He was finally going to end. At the last moment, he withdrew.

It was clear that although Wei Jing insisted on consummating the marriage, he had no intention of having children anytime soon and would not put Shao Qing in such a difficult and awkward situation.

Shao Qing’s heart relaxed, and she almost immediately fell into a deep sleep. Before her consciousness faded, she didn’t forget to shed a few bitter tears for herself.

She once heard that once one gets used to it, everything falls into harmony—she was not sure if that’s really true. But even if it was, it would probably be quite strenuous, for she discovered that the two of them were vastly mismatched in size and physical strength.

She fell into a deep sleep without a single dream all night. When she awoke the next day, daylight had already broken. Opening her eyes, she beheld a scarlet canopy above her, adorned with an exquisite pattern resembling blossoming pomegranates.

Only then did it hit her—she had gotten married just yesterday. Uh, and she had even gone through the marital obligations.

Her waist wasn’t sore at all; Wei Jing had been truly gentle the previous day. Yet there was one particular, intimate spot that felt off—a kind of pain that was hard to describe, a slightly dry, chafing discomfort.

“Awake?” In an uncharacteristic move, Wei Jing hadn’t risen early for his usual morning exercises or to attend to official business. Instead, he had remained by her side the entire time. When he saw she was awake, he turned over and sat up, saying, “It’s the perfect time—now that you’re up, we can have breakfast.”

Shao Qing pulled the blanket around herself and sat up. After the most intimate night with him, facing him directly the next morning felt somewhat unnatural. Her body felt refreshed, and her nightclothes were neatly worn—clear signs that after she had fallen into deep sleep last night, he had cleaned her and dressed her.

She had done the same for Wei Jing multiple times before when he was injured and unconscious—stripping and redressing him when the situation was urgent, without any room for embarrassment. But now that the roles had reversed, just thinking about it made her face burn.

“You…” She tried to remain composed, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. The pink hue spread, even coloring the graceful curve of her neck before disappearing beneath the snowy-white silk nightgown.

Wei Jing saw everything clearly, and his gaze darkened slightly. He was a strong, healthy man, and mornings were always a time of heightened emotions. Last night, he had been mindful of her, unable to let go completely. After just a taste, he understood the bone-deep allure, making his desire even more persistent.

However, he took a deep breath and suppressed his restlessness, instead asking with concern, “Ah Qing, does your body still hurt?”

“If there’s an ointment, applying it would help a lot.”

Post-encounter ointments were not anything mysterious—whether in the imperial court or among prestigious families, there were always their own formulas. She had them too; among her dowry were not only the recipes but also prepared ointments, though she had never used them before.

Thus, Shao Qing knew very well and immediately said, “I don’t hurt!”

Although she firmly denied it, discussing the topic of pain with him made her feel even more embarrassed, and after speaking, she shot him a glare.

Wei Jing let out a low chuckle.

Sunlight filtered through the gauzy window, casting a soft glow on the floor at the front left of the bed, and faintly illuminating his face. Shao Qing noticed that his brows had relaxed, the usual sternness had faded, and the subtle tension from recent days was gone.

Wei Jing seemed much more at ease.

Shao Qing felt a sudden warmth in her heart—she knew better than anyone just how lonely he was, that deep, all-encompassing solitude in which he had been submerged.

Actually, this was quite good. She had a stable life now, no longer needing to overthink or worry, and he had a companion, no longer needing to walk forward alone. They were both lonely people, and continuing to support each other on this journey together felt like a wonderful path forward.

Her heart softened, and she smiled at him. “I really don’t hurt much, just a little. Don’t worry.”

Her smile bloomed like a flower, warm and gentle. Wei Jing felt a warmth spread through his chest, and his lips curled slightly. He gazed at her for a moment before taking her hand.

“Mm, that’s good.” He stretched out his arms and pulled her into his embrace.

It was a familiar embrace. Shao Qing rested her cheek against the hollow of his neck, listening quietly to the strong and steady beat of his pulse. The uncertainty and hesitation of the past days melted away, leaving only peaceful serenity in her heart.

“Husband? What time is it now?”

After calling him that for so long, it finally felt truly deserved today. After a long embrace, Shao Qing raised her head, gently pressing her empty stomach, and asked, “Are we going to the county barracks today?”

The county barracks—Wei Jing had mentioned two days ago that after completing the formalities, he would go there to inspect the newly recruited soldiers. The personal training sessions were next on the agenda, which was why she asked.

The county office was understaffed, with everyone taking on multiple roles. As for her, she was currently serving as Wei Jing’s personal scribe, which meant she would typically accompany him on outings.

Wei Jing did not immediately answer her question. Instead, they washed up, dressed, and finished breakfast. Only after carefully observing Shaoqing’s movements—seeing that she moved freely and her expression remained natural—did he confirm that her discomfort was indeed minimal, just as she had claimed. Only then did he relax and decide to take her along.

Shao Qing has recently learned how to ride. She can’t run at full speed and ride a fiery, spirited horse, but setting out on a gentle little mare is just fine.

Her mood was high—although the inner thighs, pressed against the saddle, felt a slight ache, she simply ignored it. She straightened her back, lifted her head, and with her small riding crop in hand, headed toward the county military camp.

The county camp, located in the western part of the city, consisted of a neat row of barracks. Most of the ones in the back were freshly built and sparkling new, and the newly recruited county soldiers had just been assigned there.

When Wei Jing and his entourage arrived, the guards standing solemnly at the gate immediately saluted. From inside the camp, shouts came from the drill ground where new recruits and veterans were training under the brilliant autumn sun.

Since taking command of Pingtao, this county camp had been one of Wei Jing’s top priorities. Without delay, he reiterated the current military regulations of the Great Chu—known as the “Seventeen Rules and Fifty-Four Decapitations.”

He declared, “If you hear the drum and do not advance; if you hear the bugle and do not halt; if you raise the flag and do not move forward; if you lower the flag and refuse to yield, then you are insubordinate, and the offender will be executed. Likewise, if you grumble, fail to appear on time when summoned, refuse to follow orders, persist in disobedience, or alter the unit rules, you are considered slack, and the offender will be executed.” And so on…

Dynasties have come and gone over the ages, yet the military regulations have been passed down from generation to generation. However, the regulations now in use by Great Chu were extensively revised by Wei Jing based on the old rules—they were exceedingly strict. The resounding drum and the heavy hammer were seen as best suited to Great Chu’s present needs, and once established, the regulations were disseminated to both the North and the South.

But as the saying goes, “Where the superior sets policy, the inferior finds a loophole.” Even the most appropriate military regulations require a strong and forceful executor. In the end, the only modifications were made in the northern unit where Wei Jing once served.

Now that times have changed, the old matters remain unspoken. After Wei Jing reiterated the military regulations, some unruly slackers inevitably dared to stand out. Seizing the opportunity, he caught this group and executed them according to the military code.

On the training field, in a classic case of “killing a chicken to warn the monkeys,” the soldiers were trembling with fear. Once the intended intimidation effect was achieved, he immediately conducted a thorough purge of the entire county camp and then admonished them several more times. With the leaders setting an example and the ranks following suit, the atmosphere at Pingtao County’s military camp had become strictly disciplined.

Next, it was time for personal training—to boost their combat effectiveness.

When Wei Jing and his entourage arrived, Deng Guang, who was loudly delivering his instructions along with about a dozen newly appointed sergeants, hurried forward to greet them while thousands of soldiers on the drill field saluted in unison.

Their morale and appearance were night and day compared to the days under Qu Cheng’s leadership. Scanning the scene and finding it satisfactory, he called out to the sweating Deng Guang and his crew, “You have all worked hard.”

“This is the duty inherent in your post!”

Wei Jing expressed a few succinct words before beginning his inspection of the new recruits.

As his personal scribe, Shao Qing was supposed to stand aside and record any commands or instructions that might arise during the inspection. However, the scorching autumn heat was unrelenting, and the sun blazed fiercely. Glancing at her, Wei Jing curtly said, “You go to the duty room.”

He would have repeated any instructions to her later—there was no need for her to labor under the blazing sun, as she was his wife and not his subordinate.

While such sunlight mattered little to Wei Jing, poor Shao Qing, with her delicate skin, soon broke into a heavy sweat.

Shao Qing didn’t insist either. She simply replied, wiped her sunburned red face, dabbed away some sweat, and headed to the nearest duty room. She was dressed in a masculine, tight-sleeved Hu-style outfit—not binding her chest nor cinched at the waist. It was obvious at first glance that she was a woman; now, the attire was chosen mainly for ease of movement, completely different from the former practice of women disguising themselves as men.

Yet no one dared to spare her a second glance. Deng Guang and the others kept their eyes forward as they shouted to the new recruit camp, “Form up!”

……

At his command, the freshly armored new soldiers assembled into formation, spears in hand, and marched past the raised platform, immediately showcasing the effectiveness of their thrusting drills.

Although Shao Qing didn’t understand military affairs, watching these spirited new recruits, she thought they were likely up to standard—after all, even the earliest enlistees had only been in camp for two months.

However, Wei Jing didn’t seem too satisfied. His expression remained unchanged, but Shao Qing’s intuition told her he was displeased.

Sure enough, after the inspection, he summoned Deng Guang and the others forward and said something. Deng Guang and his men knelt on one knee, clasped their fists, and accepted the order. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but in the sunlight, Wei Jing—clad in a dark, cuffed-sleeved warrior uniform with broad shoulders and a narrow waist—looked vigorous and imposing.

Wei Jing’s aura has always been at odds with warmth, except when he’s by Shao Qing’s side, when he becomes softer and more restrained; otherwise, he is not the approachable type. Ah, he probably wasn’t like this before, was he?

“Ah Qing?”

Shao Qing’s thoughts wandered for a moment. By then, Wei Jing had finished issuing his orders and reached the door of the duty room. Noticing her leaning out with her hand supporting her chin, he asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” Shao Qing stood up, retrieved a handkerchief from her bosom, and handed it to him. “I was just watching and thinking that the county camp is much better now than it used to be.”

Taking the handkerchief, Wei Jing dabbed the sweat from his hands and face and shook his head. “The formations aren’t tight and the thrusts lack power—they still need more training.”

Next, he planned to devote one of his main focuses to drilling the soldiers.

“High standards are good,” Shao Qing agreed with a nod. “In that case, next time I come, I’ll bring the official ledger or something so we can make better use of the time.”

She had already prepared—grinding ink and laying out paper. After consulting with Wei Jing, she composed the necessary records and drafted the on-site official document, sealed it, and then she could head back.

On the return journey, she continued climbing onto her little mare; however, there was no mounting block. She tried once but couldn’t get on smoothly. Just as she was about to try a second time, Wei Jing had already grasped her waist and gently boosted her, allowing her to easily mount the horse.

Shao Qing turned back and smiled, and Wei Jing, too, curved his lips faintly, deftly turning his body to mount his horse effortlessly.

Hmph, is mounting a horse really such a big deal?

The two exchanged a few quiet laughs and, without hurrying, rode slowly toward the county yamen.

By evening, as the setting sun turned a rich golden red and streamed through the bustling crowd, the wind blowing in their faces had already taken on a cool touch. After all, it was nearly the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In the blink of an eye, Shao Qing had already been here for several months. Amid the lively streets, she felt a tinge of emotion and let out a soft sigh; just as she was about to withdraw her casually roaming gaze, suddenly her eyes fixed on something.

“Huh?” Winding her way through the throng of pedestrians and vendors, she noticed, about seven or eight steps ahead to her left, a brand-new scratch at the base of a pillar beneath the veranda of a tavern.

It was small—composed of three horizontal and one vertical stroke—seemingly nothing more than the casual handiwork of a mischievous child. It was utterly inconspicuous and had no apparent pattern. But for some reason, Shao Qing suddenly recalled a three-petaled plum blossom design she had seen before.

It was the one she had spotted at a roadside tea pavilion while traveling from Hexiang to Pingtao, which Wei Jing had told her was left by his former personal guard unit, the Qingzhai Guards.

“Husband?” Unable to help herself, Shao Qing turned back and cast a questioning look toward Wei Jing.

He withdrew his gaze and gave a barely perceptible nod.